A Reading lifeguard leapt into action during a trip to Greece to pull an unconscious holidaymaker from a hotel pool.

Stuart Brookfield, 28, from West Reading, was eating his breakfast at Tina’s Studios and Apartments in Faliraki on August 9 at 10.30am, when he heard cries from people by the pool.

He jumped up and saw a body lying on the bottom, with people struggling to lift it up.

He dived into the unmanned pool, dragging out the victim, a 22-year-old from Birmingham, who is believed to have suffered an epileptic fit.

“It was second nature to get in and help this young man,” said Mr Brookfield, who has worked at Arthur Hill swimming pool in East Reading for the last 10 years.

“I jumped into the pool and got him out but there was no response.

“I checked his airway before administering five rescue breaths, and then 30 compressions, followed by two more breaths.”

“He started to respond, and I felt relieved, although I didn’t focus on anything but his recovery.”

After administering mouth-to-mouth and CPR, Mr Brookfield, who was holidaying alone after his friends’ passports didn’t arrive in time, monitored the man’s pulse until the ambulance arrived some 15 minutes after the alarm was raised.

“When they [paramedics] got there, they whipped him off to hospital on blues and twos,” said the heroic Reading lifeguard, who wants to be a paramedic, and volunteers for the Red Cross.

He added: “He is still in hospital having treatment as he did have quite a lot of water on his lungs.”

The lucky swimmer was taken by ambulance to Rhodes, before being flown to Crete by air ambulance. He remains in hospital there, and is believed to be in a stable condition.

Bystander Clare Wilson, 38, from Newcastle, said: “To do this for a complete stranger is amazing. It was all very dramatic.

“Everything went quiet – completely silent. But the way Stuart responded was amazing. He was so quick, which is amazing when you think he was on holiday in an 18-to-30 resort. There was no hesitation at all, which is probably why he is still alive.”

Mr Brookfield said: “I guess he was lucky I was there at that time, especially as I was flying home later that day. But I couldn’t just sit there and let something happen like that when I have the skills to help.”

A Thomas Cook spokeswoman said: “Thomas Cook can confirm that one of its customers staying at the Tina Apartments was involved in an incident on August 9.

“He is currently recovering in hospital, and our team in resort and in the UK are offering their full support, while remaining in close contact with his concerned family members to advise of his progress.

“The hospital has advised that he is in a comfortable condition, and we will continue to provide every assistance while wishing him a full and speedy recovery.”